CX Season Continues
The 4th round of the North West cyclo-cross series took place at Beacon Park, Wigan, on Sunday and H.Middleton CC had set a new and extended course for the event using a number of challenging technical sections through the local woods. Intermittent heavy showers throughout the day added to the exacting conditions and produced some demanding and close racing, with a mixed bag of results for Rossendale based riders.
Just to show the family involvement in this sport, the Holt brothers, Joey and Riley, are now showing progress in the U10 and U16 boy’s events in just their 3rd race at ‘Cross’, with father Ashley having a great result in the V40 class, finishing 13th despite having to shoulder his bike for the last lap after a mechanical breakdown. Paul Lupton was a clear winner in this class with well-known local fell runner Rob Hope taking 2nd.
Several riders had taken in 2 events at the weekend, making the long trip North to Falkirk on Saturday for the 2nd round of the National Trophy series. From Rossendale, these included U16 girl Elsie Haygarth who just missed out on a podium place with 4th at Beacon Park, father Dave Haygarth taking 5th in the V50 event, along with Phil Simcock who continued his fine season with a podium 3rd place. In the same event, Mick Taylor just held onto 30th place from Carl Nelson.
The V60 class continues to be very competitive and, newcomer to the series, Anthony Matthews of Paul Milnes – Bradford Olympic was a very fast winner. Derek Schofield finished with his best result of the season in 6th, despite being left at the start. Graham Wright only manged one lap, retiring with a puncture, leaving the field open for the V70 award which was won by ex-Rossendale fell runner Phil Warner. Showing some return to form, Adrian Watts made a flying start but ran out of steam towards the end to finish 17th.
Matt Toman continues to improve and finished 15th in the Elite Men’s Senior event, on the same lap as
fellow U23 winner Jake Edwards of Cog Set Papyrus.
For the 2022/23 series a separate event is held for Women and Jacqui Simcock rode well to 16th place overall and 1st V50.
There is now a break in the series with the next event at Stadt Moers, near Whiston, on Saturday 5th November.
Photos:
Ashley Holt on his final lap after a mechanical
Mick Taylor not quite making a difficult climb through the woods
Phil Warner on his way to the V70 award
